Asparagus Season Begins

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It’s official: when New Zealand asparagus starts popping up in Wonky Boxes, warmer days are on the way. Described by our Levin grower as “one of the last truly seasonal vegetables,” asparagus is a fleeting spring treasure, with harvests lasting only about 100 days. And unlike other veggies, you rarely see it on shelves outside of this short window, making these crisp spears a true seasonal treat—and why we’re so passionate about bringing you the best of the bunch.

At Wonky, we proudly partner with growers around the country to make sure we’re shipping the freshest spears in town, cutting down on food miles and ensuring your veggies go from farm gate to plate in record time.

One such grower is Andrew from Boyds Asparagus, based in the rolling hills of Cambridge, who’s been with Wonky since we were just a young seedling in 2021.

His team supplies the asparagus you’ll find in our Upper North Island boxes. Over the years, this partnership has saved over 30,000 kilos of funky looking asparagus from being fed to cows, giving Boyd’s crops the love they deserve and getting more delicious spears to eager kiwis!

This win-win collaboration boosts Andrew’s farm’s sustainability and maximises profitability, all while making sure none of this green goodness goes to waste. As an experienced asparagus whisperer, we caught up with Andrew to get the inside scoop on this year’s asparagus season and why these spears make it into your Wonky Box.

_{What are you expecting from this year’s asparagus season?}

“At Boyd’s, we are anticipating a bumper asparagus crop this season, thanks to particularly favorable weather conditions. The early-season quality has been exceptional, which bodes well for both of us as growers and our consumers. We’re looking forward to a successful season ahead and are excited to provide top-notch asparagus for everyone to enjoy.”

_{What causes asparagus to be considered “wonky”?}

“The great thing about wonky asparagus is that it is packed fresh to order, despite being slightly misshapen—it might be cut too short, too long, or have some minor tip damage. It offers the same delightful taste as perfectly shaped asparagus. So when you choose wonky asparagus, you’re enjoying high-quality, flavourful asparagus while benefiting from a more sustainable and cost-effective option.”

_{What is it about asparagus that puts a spring in your step?}

“I’m passionate about asparagus because it’s such a unique and exceptional product. It’s incredibly healthy, versatile, and easy to prepare, making it a staple in our household during the season. We enjoy it nearly every night and even incorporate it into quiches for lunch! However, asparagus is highly susceptible to weather conditions, which means we never quite know what we’ll harvest from one day to the next. This unpredictability makes it an exciting yet sometimes stressful crop to grow.”

_{What’s the most creative way you’ve seen asparagus used in cooking?}

"When it comes to cooking asparagus, I explore every possible method and even enjoy it raw. Whether it's BBQ, steaming, roasting, or frying, each technique brings out a unique flavor and texture. Asparagus is incredibly versatile, and experimenting with different cooking styles is a great way to appreciate its full range of culinary potential."